- Entry type: Person
- Entry ID: AWE6439
Lindsay, Ruby
(1887 – 1919)- Born 1 January, 1887, Creswick Victoria Australia
- Died 31 December, 1919, United Kingdom
- Occupation Artist, Cartoonist, Graphic designer, Illustrator
Summary
Ruby Lindsay is perhaps Australia’s first female graphic designer. During the early twentieth century, Ruby illustrated books and also hand drew posters and black-and-white illustrations for newspapers such as The Bulletin and Punch.
Details
Ruby Lindsay was born in Creswick, Victoria, to parents Robert and Jane Elizabeth. At the age of 16 she moved to Melbourne where she attended the National Gallery School. Ruby occasionally drew posters and black and white illustrations for well-known newspapers, and also illustrated books such as William Moore’s Studio Sketches.
In 1907 Ruby showcased her work at the Women’s Work Exhibition, held at the Melbourne Exhibition building. After submitting many pieces in competitive categories, Ruby won the First Class Diploma – a certificate which she had also designed.
Ruby married Will Dyson in Creswick in 1909 and soon after they travelled to London with Ruby’s brother Norman. Whilst in London, Ruby continued illustrating books and sometimes collaborated on black-and-white illustrations and posters with her husband. In 1911, Will and Ruby had a daughter, Elizabeth (Betty). Sadly, Ruby died of influenza in 1919 at the age of 33.
Archival resources
- John Oxley Library, Manuscripts and Business Records Collection
- National Library of Australia, Manuscript Collection